This blog started January 1, 2009. Here’s what I wrote:
Huge dream. Big plans. Complete outline. Clear structure.
That’s what I was thinking when I started working on the idea for this website. But that’s not how it’s starting.
Instead, we are starting where most people started following Jesus. With a small, simple, uncertain but curious turning toward him.
People do get way more focused, way more committed, way more understanding in time. In fact, the title of the post comes from Paul, writing in the book of Philippians:
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)
And I know. Those two verses raise many questions. What’s the goal? and what’s the prize? And does that mean this is a race? And who are we competing with?
There are lots of verses that provoke lots of questions throughout the Bible. But the starting point in following isn’t always with the Bible.
It’s with following Jesus.
A quick story to start the year.
John the Baptizer is with his followers. (John 1:35-30) Jesus walks by. John says, “Look, the Lamb of God.” Two of the followers start walking behind Jesus, literally following him. He turns around and says, “What do you want?” They say, “Rabbi, where are you staying?” He says, “come and you will see.”
And they spend the day talking with him.
What if that is our one thing? What if the one thing that we wanted to do, that we focused on, that we committed ourselves to doing, was to see where Jesus lives?
Not that we’ll be there. Not that we will always stay focused. But what if we set about following Jesus?
Would he say, “What do you want?”
300 words a day 
Gary Mintchell
I was just wondering how long you’ve been at this. I had been reading about blogs planning to start one. But we were starting a new magazine in 2003. I took this holiday break time in 2003 to begin my industrial technology and strategy blog. It began as Gary’s Radio Weblog (written on Dave Winer’s Radio site), morphed into Gary’s FeedForward to mesh with my Automation World column, and then The Manufacturing Connection when I left the magazine.
Meanwhile I became a blog evangelist. I told our pastor the church needed a blog in 2008. He said to go ahead and start one. Darcy and I began, but she left for seminary soon after. I played with ideas for a while. Then I read about your blog on another site I was following. By 2010, I settled into a routine. Faith Venture is still rocking.
I’m happy that you are, too. It’s piece of my morning. And your introduction of Paul and Rich has also enriched my mornings.
All the best as you re-orient your life’s new phase.
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Jon Swanson
I started in 2005 on another blog which is still out there. I’m not sure I imagined going for a long time, but I’ve now written my way through two and a half jobs. It’s an interesting feeling.
I like your idea of reading through Proverbs a chapter at a time in January. As I’m reworking my habits, I may start there.
Thanks for stopping by.
Jon
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Gary Mintchell
I thought there was something before 300 words. I, too, have gone through a couple jobs. And turned down another.
Thanks for your thoughts. Enjoy the evening.
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